Key
Verse: If my people, which are
called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will
forgive their sin, and will heal their land. [2 Chronicles 7:14]

What is Prayer

Prayer
is very unique. It is simply the effectiveness of man's
communication with God. From the standpoint of human
responsibility, it plays a very significant role in God's redemptive
program for man. Besides this, prayer is the source of vision,
divine power, creativity, experience etc. We ought to give this
ministry exceptional priority as Jesus our Lord and Saviour did.
One can never outgrow their need for prayer anymore than their need for
Air, Food and Water: which are very essential to life on earth. So
is prayer, it connects us to our Creator in Heaven who ultimately is the
provider of all things. We are in need of both Physical and
Spiritual needs. For without Him we can do nothing.

Therefore
Prayer is Communion, it is a desire to enter into conscious
relationship with God.

Whom
have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire
beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the
strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. [Psalms 73:25-26]

And
said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God,
that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his
commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open,
that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before
thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and
confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against
thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. [Nehemiah 1:5-6]

As we read these verses, you will notice the confidence in the
relationship David developed with God: he said, whom have I in Heaven
but thee? This kind of relationship is personal. We also
notice Nehemiah asking God for his attention in his prayer.

As we try to commune with God, we must believe that He is God and that
He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. He is not
tangible to us, nor can we see Him but we believe that He is near to
hear, deliver, and protect us. We are encouraged to approach Him
like men of faith (Isaiah, Gideon, etc.) did.

Behold,
the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear
heavy, that it cannot hear: [Isaiah 59:1]

Then
spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the
Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of
Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley
of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the
people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in
the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and
hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day
like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice
of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel. [Joshua 10:12-14]

The Sun stood still, and the Moon stayed, until the people had avenged
themselves upon their enemies. There was no day like that before
it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the
Lord fought for Israel.

Prayer
is Thanksgiving: Our gratitude is to God for his Grace,
Mercy, and loving kindness. David said in the Psalms.

Know
ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we
ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter
into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be
thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his
mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
[Psalms 100:3-5]

Prayer
is Confession: As sinful man acknowledges his guilt, falls
on his knees and begs for favor.

And
the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes
unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a
sinner. [Luke 18:13]

Prayer
is Submission: It is to abandon ones own desire and
surrender his will to God's will. This is prayer at it's highest
level. Jesus as our perfect example in his agony prayed,
surrendering all to God who had the power to deliver Him from death.

And he
went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my
Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not
as I will, but as thou wilt. [Matthew 26:39]

And he
was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and
prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:
nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. [Luke 22:41-42]

Why should we pray

I will liken prayer to a key - as a key
is to a door, so is prayer. The key is used to unlock the door so
we can enter in. Once inside, we are sheltered from the heat of
the day, winters snow or storm. Prayer
is the key that unlocks Heaven's door. Providing certain
conditions are met, we can now have a little talk with Jesus, tell him
all about our sorrow. We can worship and praise God for His
marvelous gift in His only Son, Jesus the Christ, who truly paid the
ransom for our sins. We have no other way out, and should prayer
be neglected, we'll find ourselves in that locked out condition.

We pray because Jesus encouraged us to pray. He did himself, in
good times and times of sorrow. For the God seeking soul, there
are numerous reasons from the Scriptures why we should pray. Our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, taught his disciples how they should
approach their Father in Heaven.

After
this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed
be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is
in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us
our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the
power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. [Matthew 6:9-13]

As we examine this prayer, you'll notice that God holds all things in
His hands. For these reasons, we pray for our daily bread,
forgiveness of sins, directions, and deliverance because the kingdom is
His, the power and the glory, for which we seek.

As the soul seekers find God, let these words of our master be for our
encouragement.

Watch
and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak. [Matthew 26:41]

We are living in a precarious world, surrounded by vast and terrifying
forces. Paul said it right.

For we
wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places. [Ephesians 6:12]

Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [1 Peter 5:8]

I
exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For
kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men
to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [1
Timothy 2:1-4]